Updated: July 2026 · Fees, times and opening dates are indicative — check the park is open and the boat times before you go.
The Samaria Gorge at a glance
Set in the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) in western Crete, the Samaria Gorge is one of the longest in Europe: about 16 km of walking, from the Omalos plateau down to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. It has been a protected national park since 1962. The hike goes one way, downhill: you start high up (the Xyloskalo entrance is at about 1,230 m) and reach sea level. There is no road at Agia Roumeli: you can only leave by boat, which shapes the whole plan for the day.
When to go, and is it open?
The park only opens from late spring to autumn, roughly early May to mid-October, and the exact dates depend on the weather: extreme heat or flood risk can close the gorge, even in peak season. Outside that window the official trail is closed. The best months are May-June and September-October: you avoid the fierce July-August heat, which is punishing on a long, exposed route. Either way, set off early in the morning — it's cooler, less crowded, and it leaves you the margin to catch the afternoon boat.
The route: what awaits you
You begin the descent on the Xyloskalo, a switchback path with railings and a sheer view into the gorge. Further down you pass the old village of Samaria, evacuated when the park was created, and its little church of Ossia Maria that gave the site its name. The highlight is the Iron Gates (Sideroportes): here the gorge narrows to a few metres wide between walls hundreds of metres high. Drinking-water springs line the way, and with luck you'll spot a kri-kri, Crete's endemic wild goat. Reckon on about 13 km inside the gorge, then a further 3 km to Agia Roumeli beach.
Difficulty & gear
Samaria is no stroll: it's a long descent over rocky, uneven ground that's hard on the knees and needs decent fitness. Allow 5 to 7 hours of walking depending on your pace. Gear makes all the difference: proper hiking shoes (no flip-flops), poles to ease the descent, a hat, sunscreen, and water refilled at the springs. Bring a snack and, to finish in style, swimwear for the beach at the end. The hike is not advised for very young children or people with fragile joints.
How to do it: tour or independent
Two ways to organise it. The simplest is an organised excursion: a bus picks you up near your base early, drops you at the entrance, and the return (boat then bus) is already sorted — you just walk. Independently, you take an early KTEL bus to Omalos/Xyloskalo, walk down the gorge, then at Agia Roumeli board the Anendyk boat to Sougia or Chora Sfakion, from where a KTEL bus heads back to Chania. Crucial point: you cannot walk back to your car — if you drove, it stays at Omalos and you need a plan to retrieve it.
Fee & ticket
Park entry costs a few euros (indicative fee around €5), free for the youngest. You pay at the entrance and keep your ticket carefully: it's checked at the exit in Agia Roumeli, to make sure no one is left stuck in the gorge by nightfall. On top of that, if you're independent, come the boat ticket from Agia Roumeli and the KTEL bus back. Indicative 2026 prices — check before you go.
The easy version: Samaria from below
Not sure you can manage 16 km downhill? There's a gentle alternative, sometimes called 'lazy Samaria'. From Agia Roumeli (reached by boat), you walk up the lower part of the gorge to the Iron Gates, then back the same way — a few kilometres round trip on flat to gently rising ground. You get the most spectacular part of the site without the long descent or the early-bus constraint. It's also a good option for families and in extreme heat.
After the hike: Agia Roumeli
At the mouth of the gorge, Agia Roumeli is a small, road-free seaside village living to the rhythm of boats and hikers. Its pebble beach and clear water are the perfect reward after the effort: take a dip before boarding. A handful of tavernas serve the post-walk meal facing the Libyan Sea. Keep an eye on the last boat time — it dictates your timing, and it's better to wait for it with your feet in the water than at a run.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Samaria hike take?
About 5 to 7 hours of walking for the 16 km, depending on your pace and breaks. Reckon on a full day once you factor in the trip there, waiting for the boat and the return.
Is the Samaria Gorge difficult?
It's a long descent over rocky ground, demanding on the knees and needing decent fitness — more tiring than technically hard. Good shoes and poles help a lot.
When is the Samaria Gorge open?
Roughly early May to mid-October, weather permitting (it can close in extreme heat or flood risk). The best months are May-June and September-October. Check it's open before you go.
How do you get to the Samaria Gorge and back?
By organised tour (bus + boat + bus included), or independently: an early KTEL bus to Omalos, walk down, then the Anendyk boat from Agia Roumeli to Sougia/Chora Sfakion and a KTEL bus back. You can't walk back the way you came.
How much is entry to the Samaria Gorge?
A few euros (indicative fee around €5), free for the youngest. Keep the ticket: it's checked at the exit. Add the boat and bus if you're independent. Indicative 2026 price.
Can you do Samaria with children?
The full descent is not advised for very young children. A good alternative: the easy version from Agia Roumeli, walking up to the Iron Gates and back — much shorter and more accessible.